World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day

2024 World Day for Safety and Health at Work

What is the day about?

World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day exists to draw attention to work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses, and provides an opportunity to remember those who have died from a work-related injury. By raising awareness, we can better take action to minimise or eliminate the Work, Health & Safety risks faced at work.

This year’s theme for World Day, set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is:

Impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health

This year’s theme for Workers’ Memorial Day, set by the International Trade Union Confederation is:

Climate risks for workers

According to recent data from Safe Work Australia, 2022 saw 195 work-related fatalities across Australia. This alarming statistic underscores the critical need to raise awareness about workplace health and safety in order to prevent injuries and loss of life on the job.

This year’s World Health and Safety Day theme highlights the critical impact of changing weather patterns on workplace health and safety (WHS). 

As climate shifts occur, businesses face heightened WHS risks from factors such as heatwaves, flooding, and extreme weather events, all of which can disrupt normal operations and potentially endanger employees.

The landscape of WHS in Australia is continuously evolving with the emergence of new technologies and industries focused on decarbonisation and the circular economy. These advancements bring forth new roles and challenges that require proactive WHS measures.

In addition to environmental shifts, climate change and increasing urbanisation have amplified human-animal interaction, leading to the emergence of novel infectious diseases and the heightened transmission of existing diseases. This interplay between environmental changes and human activity underscores the need for comprehensive WHS strategies that adapt to evolving health and safety landscapes.

To read more about this years theme and access resources, visit Safe Work Australia.

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